Bolesta Services & Programs
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For half a century, Bolesta Center has achieved unparalleled results teaching deaf and hard of hearing children to understand language and produce it intelligibly. Central to that success is Bolesta's core Listening and Spoken Language Therapy Services, which includes regular Auditory Verbal therapy, delivered by Certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialists or mentored candidates. Bolesta also offers services for parents, professionals, and school personnel, in addition to a variety of products for sale.
LSL Therapy Services
Central to your deaf or hard of hearing child learning spoken language is the Center’s Listening and Spoken Language Therapy Program, which includes regular Auditory Verbal therapy sessions, continual progress monitoring, school services, parent counseling, audiology services, and coordination of the therapy team. Success begins with an initial free consultation and the development of a Candidacy Profile. Many factors can affect a child’s ability to learn spoken language and our Candidacy Profile reflects this. Factors such as chronological age, duration of hearing loss, amplification, implantation age, physical health, family structure and support, past therapy experience, educational environment, present speech/ language levels, cognition, and native language all play a part in developing a plan that will bring a child the best success to achieve normal communication through listening and speaking. Each child also receives a full evaluation administered by our highly-skilled and dedicated clinicians. A comprehensive therapy plan is then created with correlating goals. About Our Clinicians Auditory Verbal Therapy encompasses many of the same techniques and strategies used in speech and language therapy; however it is not to be mistaken as such. Auditory Verbal Therapy is unique and requires that professionals in the field specialize in techniques that focus on audition and the natural development of spoken language. The avenue for professionals to become experts in the field is to pursue certification as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS) through the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Bolesta Center, Inc. therapists are certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialists or are mentored candidates in the process of pursuing certification. For More Information Contact Judy Horvath, LSLS Cert AVEd., Clinical Director, at jhorvath@boletsacenter.org or 813-932-1184 to make an appointment to visit Bolesta for a free consultation.
Services for Schools
Bolesta’s School District Technical Assistance Program is designed to assist districts that are committed to creating listening and spoken language education options for students who are deaf and hard of hearing. The goal of the program is to improve student outcomes through support and technical assistance to school personnel and caregivers. The Role of the District Administrator District administrators with decision-making authority may request services. After an initial meeting, the majority of program activities involve teachers and professionals working directly with students with minimal time involement of school and district level administrators. Administrators are encouraged to be as involved in the process as they desire. How Does The Program Work? District staff completes a needs assessment and parents complete a survey; Bolesta staff conducts a school visit for observations and meetings with school personnel and parents, then facilitates the creation of action plan; Bolesta staff makes follow-up visits to discuss action plan with stakeholders to determine next steps, roles and responsibilities; The action plan is implemented with ongoing progress monitoring; Annual evaluations are completed to assess effectiveness. How Is This Program Funded? The School District Technical Assistance Program is partially funded through philanthropic efforts, so many services may be available at low or no cost to the district. Once the action plan is developed, Bolesta Center is committed to working with the district to implement it, including exploring all funding options. Hear What Alachua County (FL) Public School District Thinks! “We really benefited from your experience and expertise.” ~ District Administrator “Because of the vast experience as an administrator in public schools, and a joint desire for excellent outcomes for students, we achieved tremendous success.” ~ Deaf Educator “We realize that to make this program very successful, we need to get everyone [parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, therapists, administrators, and children] involved working together and Bolesta has been able to do that for all of us. We feel very grateful for having the help of a person with so much experience working with similar programs in the public school system.” ~ Parent Group For More Information Contact Judy Horvath, LSLS Cert AVEd., Clinical Director, at jhorvath@boletsacenter.org or 813-932-1184 for a free consultation.
Support for Parents
Parents need support, guidance, and help during this crucial time in their life. Decisions must be made quickly, especially if a child is to learn spoken language, and parents need to know all the options available. Bolesta provides support through: A network of parents who have made the same decisions; A forum to meet and question parents and professionals; Unbiased information from professionals; Access to specialists; On-going communication about recent advances and trends, current events, support groups, and program evaluations; The use of free resources such as books, tapes, and kits to help them make decisions, and directories of where to turn for help or more information. Bolesta works closely with each family to empower them to move their child through developmental listening and speaking skills. In addition, Parents support one another through mentoring; Parent meetings are provided to explore topics of concern or high interest; Parents are encouraged to be involved in AG Bell and other organizations that support children with hearing loss; Bolesta staff fully support Individual Education Plans through school districts and attends meeting and school visits as needed.
Training for Professionals
Bolesta is committed to increasing capacity so even more deaf and hard of hearing children can receive Listening and Spoken Language services to learn to listen and speak. True to that commitment, we offer the annual Expert Speakers Series; programs for Teachers of the Deaf; and individualized training/ mentoring programs for professionals.
AVLI Product Store
In 2003, Bolesta launched the Auditory-Verbal Learning Institute (AVLI) as a social enterprise designed to capitalize on Bolesta’s longstanding reputation and experience in the world of Listening and Spoken Language services. AVLI began as the continuing education arm of The Bolesta Center, Inc., one of a handful of not-for-profit agencies devoted to teaching and promoting spoken language for children who are deaf and hard of hearing. AVLI produces, markets, and sells products that help therapists, educators, and parents teach children who are deaf and hard of hearing to use spoken language. Click here to begin shopping now.
